The Russian Red Cross regional branch in the Kursk region launches a training program for schoolchildren on landmine safety and first aid training in the context of the continuing threat in the border areas of the region. The training program is supported by the Ministry of Education and Science of the Kursk region.
“In border regions children can face situations, which are far fr om being familiar and secure in everyday life. In this context, adults ought not only to protect, but also to educate. The understanding of landmine safety rules and first aid skills is not just useful. It is critical, especially in summer, when children will be spending more time in fields and forests, near potentially dangerous objects. We managed to find a way to explain such a difficult issue to children in a simple, clear and delicate way. During two weeks, more than one thousand schoolchildren learn how to act if they find themselves in a dangerous situation”, accentuated Aleksei GAPONOV, the Chairman of the RRC regional branch in the Kursk region.
These classes are held by Russian Red Cross first aid instructors who dedicate themselves to work in high-risk environments. The RRC regional branch in the Kursk region has independently developed this educational program based upon the guidelines of expert organizations. The expert organizations have an extensive expert base on the subject of landmine hazards accumulated in work in the context of armed conflict zones across the world.
The program includes a theoretical part with visual materials, wh ere children learn how typical ammunition looks like, where it can be frequently found, and how to behave if a suspicious object is found. A special part of the program includes first aid skills training. Instructors demonstrate on simulators how to properly provide first aid to an injured person. Particular emphasis is made on ensuring proper safety and following the plan of actions in stressful situations.
“We are aware of the gravity of the situation and how important it is now to educate our children in this connection. All schools and kindergartens in the Kursk region regularly hold lessons and provide instructions on landmine safety. In this connection, visual materials, instruction booklets are used. Children are instructed on how to act correctly. Beyond that, we closely cooperate with the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia in the Kursk region, other specialized agencies in terms of education in these issues. One of the venues of interaction is the Russian Red Cross. We express our sincere gratitude for the assistance and willingness to help in this issue and to work with children independently”, commented Natalia LEONOVA, acting Minister of Education and Science in the Kursk region.
Classes are held both in the city of Kursk and in other districts of the region. Until the end of the school year, the program will be implemented as a part of school curriculum. This summer, the classes will be included in a general educational program of summer camps for children.
